Your writing is at risk

The antivirus program had no doubt. The ever-changing virus definitions were outdated, even if only by a matter of hours, and the computer was AT RISK! That was a serious warning, especially for us, since our work is stored on the computer and was also at risk, backup copies notwithstanding. We updated the program right away.

Now all we need is the same kind of clear indication when our writing is at risk. While writing trends evolve less quickly than computer viruses, preferences of readers, editors, and publishers do change. As an example, here’s an excerpt from a book written in 1908:

So busily engaged was each after his own fashion that nobody observed the approach of a solitary figure down the highway of the river. The man appeared tiny around the upper bend, momently growing larger as he approached. HIs progress was jerky and on an uneven zigzag, according as the logs lay, by leaps, short runs, brief pauses, as a riverman goes. Finally he stepped ashore just below the camp, stamped his feet vigorously free of water, and approached the group around the cooking-fire.

Ignoring the then-accepted wording (“appeared tiny,” “momently,” “according as the logs lay”), the question posed from the viewpoint of today’s preferences is this: If no one observed the solitary figure, then how do we know how he approached? The omniscient style, where the narrator knows all the thoughts, actions, and feelings of all characters, is no longer in favor.

Does that mean you should change your style if you prefer to use the omniscient point of view? We’re not going to tell you how to write your books. We just think that keeping up with changes in the writing world leads to making informed decisions.

With that in mind, here are two other trends to consider.

Covers. A recent article in the New York Times about the poor pay for romance cover image models describes the changes to these book covers over the years. Would you believe some people are tired of looking at toned ab muscles?

Commas. Recent edits of our work have included removal of “extraneous” commas and we’re told the general trend is toward the use of fewer commas. When even the National Geographic Style Manual agrees, who are we to argue?

We’re not saying to make changes simply for the sake of keeping up with what’s now considered “modern.” The 1908 book we quoted above still sits on our bookshelf, and not only because it was a gift from a friend. The story is interesting, the characters complex, the plot twists engaging. Good writing is a preference that never goes out of style.

How do you think your writing style might be at risk? Let us know in the comments.

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HL Carpenter — Read along with us!

Florida-based mother/daughter author duo HL Carpenter writes sweet, clean fiction that is suitable for everyone in your family. The Carpenters write from their studios in Carpenter Country, a magical place that, like their stories, is unreal but not untrue. When they’re not writing, the Carpenters enjoy exploring the Land of What-If and practicing the fine art of Curiosity. Visit HLCarpenter.com to enjoy gift reads and excerpts and to find out what’s happening in Carpenter Country.

Our Authors

Christine Lebednik has spent much of her writing work life in the technical and business writing area of the discipline. She has written on a wide range of topics in web content writing from spiritual to technical topics, and also has some experience working within corporate training settings as a subset of her work as a technical and business writer.

Sarah is the author of several books and numerous articles. A freelance writer, international speaker, book designer, and spiritual director, she holds a Master of Arts degree in Christian Ministry and a Certificate of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship from George Fox Evangelical Seminary. Sarah makes her home in Salem, Oregon. For more information, see her website at SarahKatreenHoggatt.com.

Allyson Carter is an author who dips her toes into the suspense and romance genres in the Edgy Christian market. She lives in Missouri with her husband, four children and three cats, where she homeschools her children, three on the autism spectrum. You can find out more about her books and read her blog on her website.

Jennifer Snow writes contemporary romance fiction for Penguin Random House and Harlequin, with books ranging from small-towns to big cities. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her husband and five year old son. Visit her website for more info.